Mahinda’s ‘full moon’ to topple government has not risen yet!

There is a massive possibility of toppling the government through workers’ struggles as the present government does not have the 2/3rd majority says the Member of the Political Bureau of the JVP and the President of National Trade Union Center (NTUC) K.D. Lal Kantha.
Speaking at a seminar of trade union executive members held at the Centre for Society and Religion at Maradana Mr Lal Kantha said, “Some ask us why the JVP has changed its manner of struggles. We would like to tell them, yes, we have changed our art of struggle. In the past when we threw sticks at mango trees it was those around who picked the mangoes. However, we don’t throw sticks at the mango tree but pluck mangoes one by one with a picker. The UNP was able to use the opportunities created by us then. Today, they won’t be able to repeat it.
Mr Mahinda Rajapaaksa reiterated that the government would be toppled before a full moon. That ‘full moon’ has not risen for Mahinda. We would like to challenge Mahinda, Weerawansa and Gammanpila to get a 2/3rd majority in Parliament and topple the government. The 6 JVP members too would support such an attempt. Even Mr Maithripala Sirisena can accept such a challenge. Not even Mr Ranil Wickremesinghe could accept such a challenge. Ranil got the premiership like winning a sweep ticket. Some who win sweep tickets prosper but others become paupers. What happened to Ranil is the same as what happened to a mutt who had won a sweep ticket.
With the last presidential election, the pan of politics got heated. We were able to get our salary increase rotty baked then. Again the pan has got heated. This government has no owner at present. The Prime Minister does not take the responsibility for certain things and the President doesn’t take the responsibility for some. The cabinet too is doesn’t take responsibility for some. There is no unity in this government.
We calculated the living index from February 2015. According to the calculation, a family of four has to pay Rs.5649.60 more for their day to day expenses.
We have 3 slogans. The pension that was denied for those who joined state service after January 2016 should be reinstated. The next is to stop investing funds from EPF in unprotected investments and the other is the living index which is Rs. 5649.60 should be added to the salaries.
There is a plan to put forward Namal for the presidential election in 2025. As such, the plan is to make a person who would not be a challenge to Namal the president in 2020. This would disqualify Gotabhaya. For, he would not give a chance to Namal. Neither Chamla Rajapaksa would be eligible. For, Namal would not get the opportunity if Chamal becomes the President in 2020 as Shasheendra would be Chamal’s successor. The solution would be to put forward a candidate who would lose in 2020. Whom would that be? Dinesh Gunawardene is a good candidate to lose the presidential election. There is also G.L Peiris. They Ranil would win and Namal won’t have any trouble in 2025. This is one plan. Those who attend their rallies do not understand these schemes.
I would like to make a proposal to Mr Mahinda Rajapaksa. Put forward Shiranthi. We could have “Vote for Shiranthi! Make Mahinda the President’ as a slogan for the presidential election. Shiranthi would not be a challenge for Namal in 2025.
The person who sits on the President’s chair gets completely changed. After winning the presidential election Mr Maithripala Sirisena visited the Temple of the Tooth and pledged that he would not contest a presidential election again.
It would be difficult to struggle when rulers have a 2/3rd majority. The July ’80 general strike was defeated when Mr J.R. Jayawardene had 5/6th majority. However, people are not with the government now. The people do not think of defending and protecting this government.
The police and the three forces are not with the present government. This government is not stable. In such an anarchist situation a struggle that is carried out organizationally would be decisive. We have already informed our grievances to the President, the Prime Minister and eh Minister of Finance in writing. We have to take these slogans to the people before we commence our struggle. We are prepared for a discussion regarding workers’ struggles with the Joint Opposition.”